Live Oak, CA vs South Pasadena, CA

The cost of living difference between Live Oak, CA and South Pasadena, CA is dramatic. Live Oak is 62.2% cheaper than South Pasadena, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Live Oak has a cost index of 88 while South Pasadena sits at 234, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Live Oak is $860/month compared to $2,218/month in South Pasadena — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Live Oak is more affordable at $317,900 median vs $1,545,100.

Median household income in Live Oak is $66,590 compared to $128,105 in South Pasadena (-48%). The higher salaries in South Pasadena partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Live Oak spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.8% in South Pasadena.

Climate-wise, South Pasadena is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 62.1°F in Live Oak. Live Oak receives more rainfall at 20.1" per year compared to 14.3" in South Pasadena.